Certificate Program in School Counseling

The Certificate Program in School Counseling is for individuals who already have a master’s degree in counseling, and are seeking to obtain state of Michigan credentials to become a school counselor by completing additional graduate coursework, and practicum/training. This certificate is intended for persons who have earned master’s degrees who wish to add post-master’s degree graduate courses in order to qualify in Michigan for: (1) School Counselor K-12 Licenses (no Michigan Teaching Certificate required) or (2) Counseling Endorsements (K-12) on existing current, valid Michigan Teaching Certificates. This School Counseling Certificate is in part, a response to Michigan Public Act (P.A.) 288, 2000. This law mandates that candidates must be recommended by sponsoring counselor education institutions and also pass the Michigan Department of Education Guidance Counselor Examination in order to be licensed or endorsed.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Certificate Program in School Counseling is based upon grade point average, educational background, letters of recommendations, completion of an appropriate MA counseling degree, completion of required background checks, as well as other factors. Applicants are required to complete and return the online application materials and supplemental department questionnaire.

Application materials are available online through links on the WMU Office of Admissions and departmental web pages. Once the completed application is received the student will meet with a school counseling faculty advisor to discuss and develop the individualized program of study for the certificate. This program of study must include 13 credit hours. Once the individualized program of study plan is developed and agreed to by the applicant and faculty advisor, the final admission decision will be made by the faculty. Upon formal admission to the certificate program, the student will be assigned a faculty advisor who will work with the student, review student progress, and approve required practicum/internship placements.

Program Requirements

This individualized program of study must include a minimum of 13 credit hours (or equivalents) as specified by program faculty. In addition to this WMU certificate, a student can be recommended for the school counseling endorsement on a valid Michigan Teaching Certificate or the Michigan School Counseling license, if the student does not hold a Michigan Teaching certificate.

Courses (or course equivalents) required for the School Counseling Certificate include:

CECP 6370 - Organization and Principles of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program Credits: 3 hours
CECP 6380 - School Counseling for Postsecondary and Career Readiness Credits: 3 hours
SPED 5300 - Introduction to Special Education Credits: 3 hours
CECP 6130 - Field Practicum Credits: 1 to 6 hours
(4 credit hours needed)

Note:

In addition to these 13 credit hours, prior to admission to the program, students will need to meet with a school counseling faculty advisor to determine if any additional foundational or school counseling curricular coursework will be required to be completed if not already met by the student’s earned counseling master’s degree. Additional coursework credit hours may be in the range of 3 to 12 credit hours.